You would like to apply to a company, but this is only possible with an online application? How does it actually work, what are the differences to a classic application and how does it work with the online application form? Here you will find tips and tricks for a successful online application!
The future belongs to the Internet – and classic applications are increasingly taking place as online applications. Paper applications are disappearing, more and more companies are using online application portals to manage the flood of applicants. But what is it actually and how does it work?
What are online application portals?
Application portals are company-internal platforms that were created to organize the application process. Interested applicants can register there, fill out online application forms, enter their data and qualifications in a standardized form and upload relevant documents. These data are processed and used to find a suitable applicant for vacancies. These portals can look very different depending on the company and have different functions.
Advantages of online application for companies
Company-internal online application portals offer companies many advantages. HR managers are no longer overwhelmed by a flood of envelopes or emails, but applications are bundled on a portal. Some applicants can be screened in advance by a machine according to certain criteria, and the rest of the applicants can be categorized and directly compared with one another will be. This saves the company time and money. You have to fill out an online application to get into the pool of applicants. Applications in paper form will no longer be accepted. You should definitely address the concerns of the company and send the application in the desired form.
Fear factor online application – it doesn’t have to be
For an applicant, that sounds like a horror scenario at first. There is little room for individuality, you will be entered in a grid and compared to other applicants. In addition, you are limited in your ability to convince the company of yourself and your qualities, as certain fields are given to you to fill out. But an online application also has advantages for you: it can be done comfortably from home, you save paper and postage costs, you receive an immediate confirmation of receipt of your application, and you can follow the status of your application through your user account. In addition, you often stay in the company’s applicant pool and are suggested for similar positions.
An online application is easy to manage with a few tips and basically nothing more than a classic application in paper form or an email application. We will show you what you have to pay attention to when applying online and give you advice on how to successfully fill out and send the online application form.
How do you familiarize yourself with the online application portal?
Have you already looked around for suitable vacancies and companies? Have you found something suitable and the company requires an online application? As soon as you are sure that you want to apply for the position, you should log into the company’s online application portal. Most online application portals require you to log in with a user name or your email address and a password. Make sure you have a legitimate email name, such as your full name and not hasi92. It is also important that you remember your username and password so that you can continue to access your account in the future.
Have a look around the online application portal and familiarize yourself with the functions. If available, read the Q&A and terms of use. Most online application portals allow you to scroll back and forth and edit the entries later so that you can click through without starting the application process. Find out which fields to fill in and which documents to upload, but don’t start the application process just yet. So you are already familiar with the surface when it comes to the application process and you do not get stressed. If this is not possible, you can try the application process under an anonymous name and take screenshots of the respective pages – so you already know what to expect.
What documents do you need to prepare before filling out the online application form?
However, before you start the application process and fill out the online application form, it is important to prepare important documents in advance to have. You can then quickly and conveniently upload them to the online application portal when you need them. Please note: you should save and upload all important documents in PDF format.
These should also be given a meaningful name, for example: CV_Name_First name.pdf. Here you will find a list of all documents that you should prepare before starting the online application process. The order in the text also corresponds to the order in which you should arrange the documents.
Cover sheet
A cover sheet is not absolutely necessary for an online application. However, if you attach your attachment bundled in a PDF, you can definitely consider adding a cover sheet. A cover sheet should contain the position you are applying for, your application photo, your contact details and your most important qualifications. Here you can freely develop your creativity, with a beautifully designed and convincing cover sheet you leave a good first impression. A cover sheet for the application is therefore not an obstacle, but rounds off the overall picture of the application. However, if the attachment to your online application is too large, the first thing you could consider removing the cover sheet.